Measuring and cutting attachment for sewing machines



Dec. 13, 1938. G. D. CQLLAR 2, 6

MEASURING AND CUTTING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Nov. 19, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet l G. D. COLLAR 2,140,416

Dec. 13, 1938.

MEASURING AND CUTTING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Nov. 19, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 MEASURING AND CUTTING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Nov. 19, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 13, 1938. G D COLLAR 2,140,416

MEASURING AND CUTTING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Nov. 19, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 NW W @I il HFWWIIIIIIIII||||||l||||||lllllllllllllllm I 39 34 13 t? I/wenfir 3 Macaw 0 Q9 x; 33m

Dec. 13, 1938. G. D. COLLAR 2,140,416

MEASURING AND GUTTING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Nov. 19, 1955 S Sheets-Sheet 5 a 9/ "1 if 8/ 5 0 j. 95 8 Patented Dec. 13, 1938 r I 2,l40,416'

MEASURING AND comma ATTACHMENT r FOR SEWING MAQHINES 7 George "D. Collar,- Glenside, Pa., assignor to Fidelity Machine Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation ;of Delaware Application November 19, 1935, Serial No.'50,610 12 Claims (Cl. 164-175) This invention relatesto a dev ice which is adapted to be applied to and actuated by and in conjunction with a sewing machine, for measuring and cutting, into predetermined lengths; a continuous strip of fabric which has been folded inwardly along its oppositeside edges and sewn longitudinally by the sewing machine, said lengths being adapted for use, for example, as blt, buckle and other. straps for men's trousers,.children's coats, suit'and dresses,ladies coats,,g1resses, slips, etc. or for other purposes. v

The'construction and operation of ,the device will be fully disclosed hereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, of which;

Fig. 1 is a perspective, view illustrating the device as applied to a conventional type 'of sewing machine;

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the device detached from the sewing machine;

Fig. 3 is aright end elevation of the device as viewed in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is.a left end elevation;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional'elevation of the device taken on the line 5-5, Fig; 3;,

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional elevationtaken on the line 6-6, Fig. 5, with the shear-operating lever of the device in the shear-opening position;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 3, butshowing the shear-actuating lever in the shear-closing 30 or cutting position;

' Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on the line 8-4, Fig. 2;

Figs. 9 and 10 are enlarged transverse and iongitudinal sectional elevations respectively of the 35 drive and lock clutch mechanism of the device;

Fig. 11 is a detail view of the shear lever return mechanism;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the press roll pressure control means;

Fig. 1315 a sectional plan view taken on the line I3--l3, Fig. 4, showing shear lever locking means for producing multi-length straps;

Fig. l4 is a sectional elevation taken on the line i4--H,.Fig. 13;

Figs. 15 and 16 are, face and perspective views respectively of the multi-length control cam; and

Fig. 17 is adetached perspective view of a detail of the invention.

The device forming the subject matter of the 59 present invention primarily comprises a feeding and measuring wheel or roller I and a cooperating press roll 2 (see Figs. 1 and 3) which receive a step-by-step or intermittent rotary movement in synchronization with a corresponding motion 55 of the feeding mechanism (not shown) of any sewing machine to which the device is attached,

whereby the strip of fabric being sewn by the sewing machineis measured by the roller I as it leaves the stitching station of the sewing machine.

The device also includes a shearing means 3 which is controlled by the-measuring wheel i and which is actuated intermittently to cut the fabric strip into pieces of predetermined lengths.

The strip, when used-fortrouser-belt and/or buckle straps, etc; usually consists of two or three plies of material which isformed by folding a relatively wide strip inwardly along its longitudinal edges until the two'p'arallel edges abut or overlap each' other. These edges aresewed down tightly to the underlyingmain portion of the strip by a'single or double parallel longitudinally extending row or rows of stitches produced by the 'stit'ching and feeding mechanism of the sewing machine. I

' The sewing machine is set to produce a-predetermined'number of stitches per inch, which may be eight, ten, twelve, etc. according to the weight and texture of the fabric and the use to which the straps are to be put. l

The driving mechanism for the measuring wheel i is arranged'to be driven from and by the same mechanism'of the sewing machine which effects the intermittent step-by-step movement of the feed dogs or rollers of the sewing machine,

in order that the measuring wheel will receive a predetermined peripheral step-by-step movement, for example, an equal number of intermittent movements with the feeding mechanism of the sewing machine, i. e. one for each stitch or any desired number of stitches produced.

The extent of each of the intermittentmovements of the measuring wheel i is preferably greater, and never less, than the extent of each single intermittent movement of the feeding mechanism of the sewing machine, thus the strip is always maintained in a taut condition between the measuring wheel and the stitching meohae nism.

The actual measuring is accomplished more by counting the number of stitches which would be made in a strap of the length desired, for example, if a strip of three inches long is desired and the sewing machine is set to produce ten stitches to the inch, when the measuring or counting wheel I has received thirty intermittent movements, effecting a complete revolution of the measuring or counting wheel I, the shear 3 will operateto cut off the measured length of the strip. This is made possible by providing'for slippage between the peripheral surface of the wheel I and the strip engaged thereby and by the press roll 2. This keeps the strip taut and also allows for making strips of variable lengths within certain limits.

If extra long straps are desired, the device is equipped with means whereby the shear may be held against actuation after the measuring wheel I makes a full revolution and is permitted to operate only on every second or other desired number of revolutions of the measuring wheel. according to the length of the strap desired.

In the present case, the measuring wheel I is mounted on a diametrically reduced end i of a shaft 5. said end being flattened on at least one side and the bore of the wheel I being similarly shaped to key or spline the wheel to the shaft. The shaft 5 is axially bored and-the wheel I is counter-bored to receive a screw 5 by which the wheel is removably held on the shaft.

..The shaft 5 is rotatably mounted in bearing bushings I and 8, the first of which is securedin one end wall 9 of a housing I0, while the bearing 8 is mounted in an end cap II- which removably closes an opening I2 formed in the second end the housin and tapped into the bed plate, or both. i

The shaft 5 is formed with an integral enlargement I5 intermediate its opposite ends and which is bored transversely to the axis of the shaft 5, as

illustrated at I5. for the reception of a hollow cylindrical'plunger II.

The plunger I1 is counterbored at I8 for the reception of a spring I9, one end of which bears against the closed end 20 of the plunger. The

opposite end of the spring I9 bears against a plate 2| having a dovetail sliding fit in and transversely of the shaft enlargement I5, closing one end of the bore I6 thereof. The plunger I] has an annular shoulder 22 adapted to engage a similar shoulder 23 formed in the transverse boring I1, to limit the movement of the plunger under the influence of the spring l9.

Normally the head 28 of the plunger I1 is engaged and pressed inwardly to a. position substantially coincident with the peripheral surface of the shaft enlargement I5 by a cam surface 25 which is formed on a segmental cam plate 24 which is secured in the housing ID, in a position transversely of the shaft 5, by screws 26.

Adjacent one end of the shaft enlargement I5 the housing I 9 is slotted transversely as indicated at 21 for the reception of a shear-operating lever 30. The shear-operating lever is in the form of a bell crank lever, comprising arms 28 and 28 respectively disposed substantially at right angles to each other and substantially radial to the pivot 3I for said iever.

The arm 28 of the bell crank lever 30 is provided with a lateral projection or lug 32 which extendslaterally from said lever across the face of the shaft enlargement I5, in a position to be engaged by the end 20 of the spring-pressed plunger I! carried by said shaft enlargement I5 when the shaft 5 rotates to a position permitting the plunger I I to be projected outwardly beyond the peripheral surface of the shaft enlargement I5, under the influence of the spring I9, as the plunger moves beyond the end 33 of the segmental cam 24.

The arm 28 of the shear-operating bell crank lever 30 has a reduced end 34 arranged to operate in a radial slot 36 formed in the movable blade of the shear mechanism 3, whereby, as the plunger I I is projected outwardly from the periphery of the shaft enlargement I5 into contact with the lateral projection 32 on the shear-operating lever 30,.the, said movable blade 35 of the shears is turned rapidly about its pivot 31 to effect shearing action of the strip which is then passing between thetnovable blade 35 and the stationary blade 38 of the shear mechanism 3.

The shear-operating bell crank lever 30 is returned to its'shear-opening position as soon as the plunger 31 moves from under the projection 32 on said lever, by a third arm 39 on said lever being engaged by a shouldered projection I on a return lever 48 under the influence of a spring 42 which is housed in a cavity 43 formed in the housing I0 and bearing against a second arm 44 of the lever 40, said return lever being mounted in a slot 45 formed in an extension 46 of the housing III and pivoting about a pin 41 which is mounted in the extension 4t. nd projects across the slot 45.

The bell crank shear-operating lever 30 is maintained in correct shear-opening posicion by the end 4. of the arm 28 of said lever-bearing against one end-of anfadjustable stop screw 43 which is mounted in a' lug formed on the housing I8. v a

The pivot stud '37 for the movable blade 35 of the shear mechanism 31s carried by and projects outwardly from the hired blade 38 of said shear, said fixed blade being secured to one end. 5I of the feed plate 52 by bolts'53 whereby the shearing mechanism 3 may be removed as a unit for resharpening, etc. v i

The movable blade 35 is pressed into cutting engagement with the fixed blade 38 by a spring 5-; which encircles the pivot stud 31 between the outer face of the movable blade 35 and'a washer 55 which is retained on-the pivot stud 31 by a nut 58, by removal of which the movable blade 350i the shear may be readily detached from the unit.

The measuring wheel I is housed within an extension 51 formed on the one end of the housing I0 and the feed plate 52 is secured to the housing Ill. As shown in Fig. 3, the feed plate 52 has an inclined fabric-guiding surface 58 which extends at an angle from substantially the plane of the top of the bed plate a of the sewing machine to the cutting edge of the fixed blade 38 '01 the shears. The lower edge of the housing extension 51 is cut away substantially parallel to the surface 58 of the feed plate 52 to provide a channel I58. through which the strip of material being operated upon passes and is guided to the bite of the rolls I and 2 and from said bite to and between the open blades of the shearing mechanism 3.

The upper surface 58 of the feed table 52 is recessed as shown at '6] for the reception of the presser roll 2, said presser roll being rotatably mounted on a pin 52 carried by and extending between ears 53 which are formed'at the outer end of the presser spring GI, the opposite end of said spring being secured to the under side of the feed table 52 as by rivets or screws 85.

The degree of pressure exerted bythe roller 2 to hold the strip of fabric against the counting or channel 88 may be regulated, released, or applied by a cam element 58 having trunnions '51. 61

rotatably mounted in the under part of the feed lfable=52and adapted to'be turned by a lever 68 dlsposed at the sideof-the feed plate to control the pressure of therein-'2 against the roll I. Thestrip'oi material is guided from the stitchingand=ieeding' mechanism of the sewing machine in'to'the channel-6U of the measuring and cutting device by a 'guide' lll which is secured to theh'ousingfifl by screws 89. Rotation' ot'the-shaft 5 is effected in intermit-. tent-steps n accordance with the intermittent ie'eding m'oveh'ientsof the feed dogs or other feeding-mechanism of the sewing machine, once for each stitch -produced by the stitching mechanism. by -a'rid fr'omf a' rocker element I5 (see .Figs; 1 ahdBl which replaces a somewhat similar rocker element which normally "forms a part of the regular reening" mechanism "of the sewing machine. I'he rocker 15 1s oscillated about its pivot 15a in synch'ioriiza'tioii' 'with i each reciprocation of the feed dogs of the sewing machine and in timed relation' to eacli of 'thejstitch-iorming reciprocations 6 he'needle bar of the machine. The r'o'c'ir'er' 'IS le -connected by a link- I6 to one arm "11 biii driving lever I8 which is pivoted at 19% 't'he flio slng 40 or thedevice. The second arirr'B Wo'f-the lever lfl is providedwith an arouallp fseg'n'iefital-fslot 'al for receivinga stud'fl whicfi fs arranged}toflie adjusted longitudinally of the sl'b'taI aiid to be'clamped in anydesired iiosit'i'o fierealeng The stud 82 connects one 9 a drivihglink' fl-"to the armof the driving lvef l i. Fflhe second endof the driving u ess-ls fino'tany e'onnecreu =at 8l to an arm as drfifeii -i"r iirlea7an=or secured to the hub 8610f ii'fterriiififiember 81 ofa rolleror ball clutch saidlnt'erria'l'inrnber 81 being loosely. mount- Zor oscillation about the=axis l 'T qf U f;

ovded :gvith subs't'antially radially extending llzgsolr ai' I itfchhaving a radially extending suriac'cfl' t o'ne s'ide and a relatively angular 'suriacelfl t opposite side.- circumfcrentially of the inteirialriiefnber fl. In recess 94 formed betweehfihe radial-suriace 92"oi one lug SI and the adjacentiangular"surface 93 of the next of said projectiohsQIis a ball or roller which is normallyprss'ed outwardly, with respect to the radial surfaceilZ, into the angle formed by the surface 93 of "the lug and the internal peripheral surface 96 of the external member 9'! of the clutch 80, by" a spring 98 having one end seated in a bore 99 formed in the projection SI and its opposite end bearing against the roller or ball 95.

In the present instance, the intermediate mem bers 95 are in the form of balls and are seated in a V-shape'd groove 96 formed in the internal peripheral surface .95 of the outer member 91 of the clutch 90.1

By the means just described. each time a stitch is formed by'thc sewing machine and the rocker l5 oscillates in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. '8 to' operate the feed dogs of the machine and thereby advance the sewed material away from the stitching point of the machine, the internal clutch member 81 is rocked in the opposite direction. "Through the intermediate elements '95 jamming between the surfaces 93 and 95. the

member 81 rotates the outer member 81 of the clutch and consequently the shaft 5 and the counting or measuring wheel I. Oscillation of the rockeil' li in the opposite direction releases the internal member 81 from the external rnember 91 of the'clutch'iill.

During t-he return rocking of the clutch member 8 anvtenden y otathe wh eleleshefimllfisi the outer clutch member 91 mqya wkva w in accordance with said. reverse -rocking of the7 element l5;is prevented;by;a lockingqclutch which comprises an internal clutch member 381a, which 5 is similar in all respects to the drive clutch member 81 withthe exception thatzitgis fired-(against rotation .withrthe clutch member 81. .;.Ihe clutchmember 81a o- ;the lockinglclutch is flxedzagainst rotation, by being rsecured toithe casing;leap;I I,- .9 and the intermediate 'memberaila of-ithe 'll'mk. clutch I Iunctionr-to engage and :lock the aouter clutch member. al inn. -iixed- ;,position.accuse:- quently the shaft-:ifiand the4;wheel-, I -are-jheld; against -reverse-1rotation rbetweem :the intermit-, 1.! tent advancing movements of thedabric. e" t g, The extentof each intermittent forylard rota; tion of the shaft-,5 and=th e wheela eis determin d and controlled by, the position; clothe studs 82 along the slot .8I or the driving leven'n and :Joy varylngithe position 01, thevstudzlil in the slot M, the llength ofithe strapsielitziiqmrtheiistrlp is accurately and definitely determined; m If straps longer than the clrcumference of the measuring wheel: I are desired-.'-lhfi=$h at ach-1 anism 3 is not operatedqafter each completelreve olution of the feed wheel. I 'lhisainterruptionpt theoperationofthe:shears is control-ledbyta stop rod Y loll..-showra;.in iFigsnG and. '13l beinssnr0iected across .the slotelbjln :whichqthe ,rarm; 3,3 of? the sheareoperating lever. lloperates. :When in. the position showniiniFisl ills-the lock pin tonerod 1M preventstthe shear; navel-.930 li'roxn'lbeing; rocked tolclose thezshears when ;theplungen=|l;ridea oi! the endjlofi the cam 2.4.- Consequently. theend 20 of the plunger-i l 1-,- slidesaunderthelateral projection 3z-otthei shearrlevemflrwithout;effects; i

The lock rod I00 .is 1slidably mounted in a=bor-. 'ing' IOI formedin thQlWaHZDfJthQKhOUSlHE IILand isprovided with a head ewzibetween avhichrand :the end :I03 of a-counterboreJOh-is disposeda spring I 05. The springri oiitends to :retractihe end of the rod IflILfrom tilt-3151GT; 21.9; c e- I The head I02 of thelocking-rrodr IIllldszengage by one end of a pin-J 06 which:isslidablymounted 1 in the cap I I of the housing .with its oppositeend arranged to be engaged by-onenof a -;pluralityof inclined cam surfaces I09 formed-onHa-control disc Illl. i i a The control disc H0 is rotatablymounted on a stud II I threaded into the cap-II and is arranged to be rotated about the axis of the studul II by a gear II2 which is secured to said control disc and meshes with a pinion H3 formed-on or attached to the end of the shaft 5 outside the cap .5 The cam disc III! is readilyremovable and may be interchangeable with another disc provided with as many cam surfaces I09 as are necessary for the proper control of the shears for any given length of the strap. g v e Also carried by the gear, 2 is a .pair of arms H4. H4 arranged to cngage alternately with an operating arm H6 of a counter-J l5 by which the means for resiliently pressing said strip into'i'eeding contact-*with' said 'feed'wheel, the circumference of said feed wheel being equal to the'normal maximum length-of the pie'cescut by the shear from saidstripfi I.

-2. A device for cutting a 'stripof'material into pieces ofpredetermined lengths; comprising a rotary shafts shear comprising a pair of cooperating blades 'di'sposed in a plane" substantially parallel to and sp'ac'e'd' from the axis of said shaftfa feed wheel secured to said shaft and arranged to engag'e a'nd feed" said 'strip substantially atrightangles to the axis of 'said shaft to andbetweenf said pair ofblades means on and operable relative to'sai'd shaft -for 'effecting-actuation of said shearja shear-actuating lever disposed in a-'plane' atright'anglesto'the'axis of said shaft-with one arm in operative-engagement with said 'sh'ear and a' -second arm aairranged for engagement with said shear-actuating mcans' on said shaft,- and means: adjacent 'said ishaft for controlling the 'actuations "oi'zthe 'i'irs't said means relative to sald' shaft." a Y I 3. A device' fo'r cutting a strip of material into pieces of predetermined lengths, comprisingira rotary 's'hait; a' 'shear comprising awpalr'foi cooperating blades disposed in a plane substantially parallel td'a'rid spaced fromthe axis 0f said'shaft, a f eed wheel seeured'to said shaftand arranged to engage ndfeed said-strip substantially atiright angles tothe axis of -is'ai'd shaft to andrbetwee'n said pair of blades, means on' and'operable relative to said' shaft "foleflecting actuation-"of said shear, a shearf-actuating lever dispo'sed'inaplane at right anglesito-the axis of said shaft with one arm inoperativeengagement with' saidshearuand a second arm arranged-for'engagemnfi with'said shear actuatin'g meana- 'on 'said shaft, 1 resilient means operating against' said' lever for normally retaining said shear blades in open position for passage of said strip" therebetween, and :means adjacent said shaft'for controlling the actuations of the first said means relativeto said shaft. 7 i 4. A device for cutting a strip of material into pieces of predetermined lengths, comprising a rotary shaft, a shear'comprising a pair of cooperating blades-disposed' in "a plane substantially parallel to and spaced from the axis of said shaft, 9. feed wheel seceured to said shaft and arranged to engage and feed said strip substantially at right angles to the axis of said shaft to and between said pair oi blades, means on and operable relative to said shaft-for effecting actuation of said shear, a shear-actuating lever disposed in a plane at right angles to the axis of said shaft with one arm in operative engagement with said shear and'a second arm arranged for engagement with said shear-actuating means on said shaft, resilient means operating against said lever for normally retaining said shear blades in open position for passage of said strip therebetween, means adjacent said shaft for controlling the actnations of the first said means relative to said shaft. and an abutment for said lever to arrest shear-opening movement of said lever by said resilient means to maintain said second lever arm in position to be engaged by said shear-actuating means on said shaft.

5. A device for cutting a strip of material into pieces of predetermined lengths, comprising a rotary shaft, a shear comprising a pair of cooperating blades disposed in a plane substantially parallel to and spaced from the axis of said shaft, a feed wheel secured to said shaft and arranged to engage and feed said strip substantially "said second. lever, arm

at right angles to the axis of said: shaft to and between said pair of bladespmeansonsaidshaft for effecting actuation of saidsheana shear-actuating lever disposed in -a;plane at right angles to the axis of said shaft with one arm in operative engagement with said rsheargand a,;second arm arranged for engagementyvith said shear-actw, ating means on said ,shaft, resilienhmeans-pperating against said .lever for:normallyv retaining said shear blades in ODQIiQQSitiQQgfQlpassage of said strip therebetween. and'amabutmenbfor said levertoarrest shear-opening movement of said lever by said resilient means to maintain said second lever arm in position -to b e enga g by said shear-actuating means on saidshait said shear; actuating means comprising-a, spring loaded plunger carried by and slidably mountedfar longitudinal movement transversely tothe axis of said shaft into actuating engagementwithsaid second-lever arm. ,1 1-1;" i a -6. A device for cutting a strip of material into pieces of predetermined lengths,-,compr ising a rotary shaft, a shear comprisinga pain of cooperating-blades disposed in a plane, substantially parallel to and spaced from the-axis-Pf said shaft, a feedwheel secured-tosaid shaft and arranged to engage and feed said stripsubstan tially. atright angleslto the axis of said shaft to and between :said pair of -;blades-, meanson said shaft for effecting actuation-cf, said. shear, a shear-actuating lever ,disposed in a plane at right 811818510 the; axis of said shaft withcne in operative engagementwith said; shear; and a second arm arranged ,for engagement-with said shear-actuating iimeans on -said .shaft, resilient means operating ,against said lever for normally retaining said shearzblades in open position for passage of said strip therebetween, an abutment for-said lever to arrest shearopening movement of said lever by saidresilient means to maintain in position to be, engaged by said shear-actuatingmeans on said shaft. said shear-actuating means comprising a spring loaded plunger carried by and slidably mounted for longitudinal movement transversely to the axis of said shaft into actuating engagement with said second lever arm, and means for retracting said plunger to an inoperative position subsequent to each strip-cutting actuation of said shear.

7 A device for cutting a strip of material into pieces of predetermined lengths, comprising a rotary shaft, a shear comprising a pair of cooperating blades disposed in a plane substantially parallel to and spaced from the axis of said shaft, a feed wheel secured to said shaft and arranged to engage and feed said strip substantially at right angles to the axis of said shaft to and between said pair of blades, means on said shaft for effecting actuation of said shear, a shearactuating lever disposed in a plane at right angles to the axis of saidshaft with one arm in operative engagement with said shear and a second arm arranged for engagement with said shear-actuating means on said shaft, resilient means operating against said lever for normally retaining said shear blades in open position for passage of said strip therebetween, an abutment for said lever to arrest shear-opening movement of said lever by said resilient means to maintain said second lever arm in position to be engaged by said shear-actuating means on said shaft, said shear-actuating means comprising a spring loaded plunger carried by and slidably mounted for longitudinal movement transversely to the axis of said shaft into actuating engagement with said second lever arm, and means for retracting said plunger to an inoperative position subsequent to each strip-cutting actuation of said shear, comprising a cam surface disposed in a plane transverse to the axis of the shaft in the path of circular movement of the plunger about the axis of the shaft.

8. A device for cutting a strip of material into pieces of predetermined lengths, comprising a rotary shaft, crating blades disposed in a plane substantially parallel to and spaced from the axis of said shaft. a feed wheel secured to said shaft and arranged to engage and feed said strip substantially at ight angles to the axis of said shaft to and be- L veen said pair of blades, means on said shaft for effecting actuation of said shear, a shearactuating lever disposed in a plane at right angles to the axis of said shaft with one arm in operative engagement with said shear and a sec-- ond arm arranged for engagement with said shear-actuating means on said shaft, resilient means operating against said lever for normally retaining said shear blades in open position for passage of said strip therebetween, an abutment for said lever to arrest shear-opening movement of said lever by said resilient means to maintain said second lever arm in position to be engaged by said shear-actuating means on said shaft, said shear-actuating means comprising a spring loaded plunger carried by and slidably mounted for longitudinal movement transversely to the axis of said shaft into actuating engagement with said second lever arm, means for retracting said plunger to an inoperative position subsequent to each strip-cutting actuation of said shear, comprising a cam surface disposed in a plane transverse to the axis of the shaft in the path of circular movement of the plunger about the axis of the shaft, and means for tripping said plunger for actuating said lever.

9. A device for cutting a strip of material into pieces of predetermined lengths, comprising a rotary shaft, a shear comprising a pair of cooperating blades disposed in a plane substantially parallel to and spaced from the axis of said shaft, a feed wheel secured to said shaft and arranged to engage and feed said strip substantially at right angles to the axis of said shaft to and between said pair of blades, means on said shaft for effecting actuation of said shear, a shear-actuating lever disposed in a plane at right angles to the axis of said shaft with one arm in operative engagement with said shear and a second arm arranged for engagement with said shear-actuating means on said shaft, resilient means operating against said lever for normally retaining said shear blades in open position for passage of said strip therebetween, an abutment for said lever to arrest shear-opening movement of said lever by said resilient means to maintain said second lever arm in position to be engaged by said shear-actuating means on said shaft, said shear-actuating means comprising a spring loaded plunger carried by and slidably mounted for longitudinal movement transversely to the axis of said shaft into actuating engagement with said second lever arm, means for retracting said plunger to an inoperative position subsequent to each strip-cutting actuation of said shear, comprising a cam surface disposed in a plane transverse to the axis of the shaft in the path of circular movement of the plunger about the axis of the shaft, and means for tripping said plunger for actuating said lever, comprising an aba shear comprising a pair of cooprupt decline in said cam surface adjacent the plunger-engaging portion'of said second arm of said levert- 5 r 2 I 5 i 10.v A-devicefor'cuttinga strip of material into pieces of predetermined. lengths, comprising ,a shear,- a rotary rshaft; Baffled wheel secured to saidshaft and arrangedjdengage, and feed said strip to said shear, means on and operable relative to said shaft for effecting actuation of said shear during each revolution of said feed wheel, means for resiliently pressing said strip into feeding contact with said feed wheel, the circumference of said feed wheel being equal to the normal maximum length of the pieces cut by the shear from said strip, means adjacent said shaft for controlling the actuations of the first said means relative to said shaft, and means for nullifying the shear-actuating efforts of said shear actuating means during predetermined revolutions of said feed wheel for increasing the pieces beyond said normal maximum length.

11. A device for cutting a strip of material into pieces of predetermined lengths, comprising a rotary shaft, a shear comprising a pair of cooperating blades disposed in a plane substantially parallel to and spaced from the axis of said shaft, a feed wheel secured to said shaft and arranged to engage and feed said strip substantially at right angles to the axis of said shaft to and between said pair of blades, means on said shaft for efiecting actuation of said shear, a shear-actuating lever disposed in a plane at right angles to the axis of said shaft with one arm in operative engagement with said shear and a second arm arranged for engagement with said shear-actuating means on said shaft, resilient means operating against said lever for normally retaining said shear blades in open position for passage of said strip therebetween, an abutment for said lever to arrest shear-opening movement of said lever by said resilient means to maintain said second lever arm in position to be engaged by said shear-actuating means on said shaft, said shear-actuating means comprising a spring loaded plunger carried by and slidably mounted for longitudinal movement transversely to the axis of said shaft into actuating engagement with said second lever arm, and a stop movable across the path of movement of said lever for nullifying the shear operation of said lever by said plunger.

12. A device for cutting a strip of material into pieces of predetermined lengths, comprising a rotary shaft, a shear comprising a pair of cooperating blades disposed in a plane substantially parallel to and spaced from the axis of said shaft, a feed wheel secured to said shaft and arranged to engage and feed said strip substantially at right angles to the axis of said shaft to and between said pair of blades, means on said shaft for effecting actuation of said shear, a shear-actuating lever disposed in a plane at right angles to the axis of said shaft with one arm in operative engagement with said shear and a second arm arranged for engagement with said shear-actuating means on said shaft, resilient means operating against said lever for normally retaining said shear blades in open position for passage of said strip therebetween, an abutment for said lever to arrest shear-opening movement of said lever by said resilient means to maintain said second lever arm in position to be engaged by said shear-actuating means on said shaft, said shear-actuating means comprising a spring loaded plunger carried by and slidably mounted for' longitudinal movement transyersely to predetermined relation to the revolutions of said the axis of said shaft into actuating engagement; feed wheel for actuating said stop into and out. with said second lever arm, a stop movable across of lever-arresting position during predeterthe path of movement of said iever for nuliifymined revolutions-of said feed wheel.

ing the shear operation of said lever by said plunger, and means operated by said shaft in GEORGE D. COLLAR. 

